As part of the recent cooperation agreement between the Metropolitan City of Bologna and Fomento San Sebastián, focused on talent attraction and innovation, an important international opportunity is now open to students and young researchers from our territory: the Donostia Meeting Minds competition.
Promoted by Fomento San Sebastián in collaboration with Tecnun – University of Navarra, El Diario Vasco, and with the support of Multiverse Computing, the initiative is an international science, technology and innovation competition designed to connect universities, research centres, businesses and institutions.
Its goal is to develop innovative AI-based projects capable of addressing real challenges in the economy, society and urban management, while generating social, economic and environmental value.
Who can take part and how to apply
The competition is open to undergraduate, master’s and PhD students from any discipline, country or university, provided they are enrolled at the time of application.
Participants must form teams of 2 to 4 people and submit their applications by 11 October.
The competition is structured into two main categories:
AI and Social Impact: designing AI-based solutions to tackle concrete urban and social challenges in the city of San Sebastián.
AI and Business: developing AI solutions applied to the optimisation of real business processes (e.g. supply chains, energy networks, logistics or financial portfolios).
During the application period, teams will have access to free workshops and expert support provided by the organisers to refine and develop their project ideas.
From the San Sebastián final to an innovation trip to Boston
Once the submission phase closes, a multidisciplinary jury will select the finalists. The final pitch event will take place on 2 November in San Sebastián, where the winning teams will be announced.
The members of the first-place teams in each category will win a trip to Boston to visit MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and other leading global organisations in technology, science and entrepreneurship. Special awards will also be granted to projects that stand out for their impact, approach and level of innovation.
How to apply and key dates
Application and project submission deadline: 11 October
Final event and awards ceremony: 2 November (San Sebastián)
Main prize: a study trip to Boston (MIT) for the winning teams
For the full rules, application forms and to submit your team, visit the official website:
www.donostiameetingminds.com